Easton: It was like a plane crashing over my head

Stuart Easton says he was lucky not to be collected by Josh Brookes's errant Suzuki, though he thinks the crash cost him victory at Oulton Park.

Stuart Easton is certain he was denied victory at Oulton Park by the safety car that wiped out his sizeable lead, though he admits he was lucky not to be caught up in the accident that prompted the caution period.

The Scot has enjoyed a strong weekend around the Cheshire circuit, the MSS Colchester Kawasaki man proving competitive throughout practice and qualifying.

It was pace he translated into the races as he fought with the leaders in race one, eventually crossing the line in third position for the team's first BSB podium in two years.

The Scot was destined to fare even better in race two when an excellent start saw him take an early lead, Easton and Josh Brookes proceeding to pull a significant advantage over the competition.

However, Brookes's accident behind him would see that lead wiped out under the safety car, Easton dropping positions to John Hopkins and Michael Laverty when the race resumed.

Even so, despite admitting to be disappointed not to win, Easton concedes he was merely lucky he wasn't collected by Brookes's spiralling Suzuki.

"For us and Kawasaki that's two podiums and I lead the second race for a long time, so I can't complain, but I'm just a bit disappointed that the pace car came out," said Easton, who made up a position on the final lap of race two when Laverty made an error.

"Having said that I count myself lucky that Josh's bike didn't hit me, it was like a plane crashing over my head and was so close. We've had a fourth, sixth, third and second so far this season which has given the team so much confidence, we are really in the mix. Croft is a good circuit for me and I'm going there second in the championship."

Easton is now classified second in the overall standings, 11 points behind Shane Byrne.